Resynchronizing system for controllers



Oct. 3, 1933. c. H. 5:55am. 1,929,379

7 BES'XNGHRONIZING SYSTEM FOR CONTEOLLERS Fi le'd Jan. 21, 193i 2 sheets-sheet 1 I N VEN TOR.

Wm 7M ATTORNEYS,

Oct. 3, 1933. c.. H. BlSSELL 1,929,379

RESYNGHRONIZING SYSTEH FOR CONTROLLERS 2 sheets-sham 2.

Filed Jan. 21. 1931 1 V EN TOR M BY @441 fif W ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 3, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RESYNCHRONIZ ING SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLERS Application January 21, 1931. Serial No. 510,223

10 Claims.

This invention relates to resynchronizing systems which include a plurality of controllers, each controller including a cycle timer, and actuating means therefor, and has for its object.

a particularly simple means for synchronizing or resynchronizing the timers at predetermined intervals, as once during each cycle of operation of the timers, which means includes switches connected in series in a resynchronizing circuit, one

switch for each timer, and means operated by the current in the resynchronizing circuit when all of the switches are closed for again starting the timers simultaneously on their next cycle of movement and preventing overlapping of the operation of the stopping means and the starting means, by delaying the closing of circuits which control the stopping of the controllers until after the timers have had time to be actuated far enough in their next cycles to prevent the closing of the circuit by the stopping means until the timers have again completed their cycles.

The invention consists in the novel features and. in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a system 39 of street intersections to which this invention is applicable.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the system.

This system, although applicable to any systems embodying a plurality of timers which must run in substantial synchronism', is especially adapted for highway traflic signaling systems, wherein the signals at a plurality of points or intersections pass through repeated traffic cycles from go to stop on one highway or street, to stop 40 to go on an intersecting highway or street, and back to go on the first street, and stop on the second street.

1 designates the main street. intersecting streets.

v The signals are arranged at each intersection,

and each intersection is provided with a controller.

6 designates a controller located at the central station, and including any mechanism common to all of the controllers '7, 8, 9 and 10 located at each intersection, as for instance, the relay switch and the thermal switch to be hereinafter described.'

This resynchronizing system comprises generally a plurality of controllers, each comprising a 2, 3, 4 and 5 are cycle timer, and actuating means therefor, means controlled by each timer for stopping the same at the end of its cycle independently of the other timers, timed means common to all of the controllers and controlled by the last stopped timer for starting all the timers simultaneously on their next cycles, and cutting out the stopping means until the timers have had time to progress far enough on their next cycles to themselves cut out the stopping means until the end of the next cycle. The cycle referred-to herein is the cycle of the timer, and not the traffic cycle,

or the cycle of the signals.

Usually the timer cycle and the trafiic cycle are the same, that is, the timer makes one revolution during each traffic cycle, or change of signals from go to stop on one street, stop to go on the other, and back to go on the first street, and stop on the second street. It will be understood however, that the resynchronizing operation may take place once during each trafiic cycle, or once during a plurality of traflic cycles.

11 designates the controllers for the intersections, two of such timers being'shown.

l3 designates the shaft of the timer and the actuating means for the timer is usually an electric motor 14, the motor being usually of induction disk type. The cams for timing the operation of the signals are omitted. They are mounted on the timer shaft 13, and as the operation of the cams form no part of this invention, and as their operation is well understood, further illustration and description is thought to be unnessary. It will be understood that during the rotation of the shaft 13, the signals at the intersection controlled by any one timer pass through a trafiic cycle from go to stop on one street, and from stop to go on the intersecting street, and back to go on the first street, and stop on the intersecting street.

The means controlled by each timer for stopping the same independently of the other timers as here shown, comprises two coacting parts, one being fixed from movement with the timer, and the other movable with the timer.

15 designates the fixed part, which is here shown as pivoted at 16 to any fixed point as the .frame of the timer, and movable on its pivot against the action of a returning spring 17. 18 is the other of said parts, this being actuated by the timer shaft 13, and usually, and preferably, mounted on or connected to the shaft 13 to r0 tate at the same speed therewith so that it operates or coacts with the part 15 once during each rotation of the timer shaft 13. This part 18 is 0 usually called the offset arm. It is carried by a disk 19 on the timer shaft and adjustable into different radial angles about the shaft 13 and held in its adjusted positions in any suitable manner. The handles 20, 22 and 23, shown in the drawings, are for the purpose of adjusting the timing cams not shown, and form no part of this invention.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, the timers are stopped at predetermined intervals by stopping or stalling the motor, and the motors are stopped by energizing bucking coils 25 which act in opposition to the driving coils 26 to completely oppose the same at predetermined intervals, and these bucking coils are connectible in the feed circuit at predetermined intervals in order to entirely oppose the driving coils and stall the motors. The bucking coils are also normally connected in the feed circuit through a voltage regulator or reducer in order to normally partly oppose the driving coils, and as the voltage regulator is adjustable to vary the voltage, the speed of the motors can be varied by adjusting the voltage regulator. The bucking coils are in effect, merely means for stopping the motors and for normally applying a predetermined braking force less than the driving force to the motors.

The manner of adjusting the speed of the motors forms no part of this invention, and the speed of the motors may be varied in any suitable manner, as for instance, varying the voltage through the starting coils.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, the driving coils 26 are connected independently of each other in the feed circuit, or a local circuit and the driving effect of the driving coils of each motor is assumed to be the same and constant. The circuits in which the bucking coils are connected are as follows:

30 and 31 designate respectively the feed wires. 32 is a wire connecting the Wire 30 to one side of the voltage regulator 33. 34 is a wire leading from the voltage regulator 33 and having a branch 35 connected to one terminal 36 of a switch 37, the terminal 36 coacting with and normally engaging a companion terminal 38 which is connected by a wire 39 to one end of the bucking coil of the companion motor, the other end of the bucking coil being connected by a wire 40 to a common return wire 41 which is connected to the feed wire 31. There are branch wires 39 and switch 37 for each timer. Thus, normally the bucking coils are energized by a current cut down by the voltage regulator and hence, apply a retarding force for the motor 14 less than the force applied by the driving coils 26. The retarding force and hence, the speed of the motor, that is, of all the motors, can be varied by adjusting the voltage regulator 33. This feature forms no part of this invention. Each bucking coil 25 is connected in the feed circuit to receive full voltage therefrom to completely oppose the driving coils and stop the motor as follows.

From feed wire 30, to wire 42, contact 43, relay switch 44, contact 45, wire 46, to a branch circuit 47, which is connected to switch contact 48 forming part of the switch 3'7, and coacting with the contact 38, but normally separated therefrom, but when engaged therewith, closing the branch circuit through the contact 38, wire 39, bucking coil 25, wires 40 and 41 to the feed wire 31. There is one wire 47, contact 48 for each timer, but one relay switch 44 for all the timers, this being 10- cated at the central station 6, but normally as the contacts 48 are separated from the contacts 38, the full voltage is cut out of the bucking coils of all the motors. The bucking coils 25 are cut into the full voltage circuit by the timer, as will be hereinafter described. It will be noted that the switch contacts 48 of all the timers are connected in multiple in the feed circuit and hence, the contact 48 of any one timer when it is engaged with the contact 38 of that timer will causev the bucking coils to be fully energized and stop the companion motor independently of the stopping of the other motors.

The means for restarting all the motors simultaneously comprises a series resynchronizing circuit circuit including normally separated switch contacts 50, 51 forming part of each switch 3'7, these being connected to the coil 52 of a relay circuit which operates the relay switch 44 to separate it from the contacts 43, 45, and move it into position to close a stick relay circuit and timed means, as a normally closed switch in the stick relay circuit and operable to open the stick circuit after it has been closed a predetermined period or a period long enough to permit all the timers to get under way, that is permit all of the arms 18 of the timer to clear or ratchet past the parts 15. The switch in the stick circuit being timed as by heating coils or their equivalents connected in the stick circuit so as to be heated when the stick circuit closes, the heating requiring a predetermined time before the switch is heated sufficiently to be opened by the heat of the coils. The synchronizing circuit with the exception of the relay 44, the stick circuit therefor and the timing means or heating coils or their equivalents, per se, form no part of this invention but constitutes the subject matter of my pending application Ser. No. 460,771, filed June 12, 1930. The contacts 50 and 51 are brought to gether by the operation of the offset arm 18 on the part 15 and hence, the contacts 50 and 51 of the plurality of timers being in series, the coil of the relay circuit can not be actuated until all the timers have completed their cycle and. caused their parts 15 to operate the companion switches 37.

One end of the coil 52 is connected by a wire 53 to the contact 50 of but one of the timers. The contact 51 is connected by a wire 54 to the contact 50 of the next timer and likewise, the contact 51 of the next timer is connected in series with the contact 50 of a third timer etc., throughout the system of timers, and the contact 51 of the last timer in the series is connected by wire 55 to the feed wire 30. Thus, when all the contacts 56, 51 are engaged, the coils 52 will be energized causing them to operate the relay switch 44, through the core 56 and shift the relay switch 44 into engagement with contacts 57, 58 in the relay circuit, these contacts being connected respectively by wires 59 to the feed wire 30, and by wires 60 and 61, contact 62 to a normally closed switch 63 connected by a wire 64 to the coil 52 completing the stick relay circuit. Thus, when the relay switch 44 is operated out of its normal position by the coil, and the contacts 38 and 48 of all the timers are engaged, the circuit through these contacts 38, 48 will be broken by reason of the relay 44 separating from the contacts 43, 45 and therefore, the full voltage circuit through the bucking coils 25 broken so that the motors are free to start all simultaneously, and the arms 18 will ratchet past the arms 15, and the timers continue on their next cycles.

In order to hold the relay switch 44 engaged with the contacts 57, 58 while the arms 18 are ratcheting past the parts 15, or in other words, to give all the arms 18 time to ratchet past the parts 15, means is provided for holding the stick relay energized independently of the contacts 50, 51, it being home in mind that as soon as any one arm 18 ratchets past the corresponding part 15, the companion contacts 50, 51 will-separate and thus break the circuit of the stick relay circuit.

Therefore, means is provided for holding the stick relay circuit closed-when this occurs and for opening it a predetermined period after it occurs, and after all the arms 18 have ratcheted past the parts 15 so that all-timers are under way on their next cycles, Thismeans for holding the coil 52 energized is the switch 63, and it is opened after a predetermined period by timed means independent of the timers, and again closed after the relay switch 44 has been turned to its normal position engaged with the contacts 43, 45. This timed means is preferably thermal operated to open the switch63 under the influence of heat and again close it when cooled, al-

though any other delayed action means may be employed.

are heating coils around the switch 63, which switch includes thermostatic metals. One end of the coils is connected by a wire 71 to the wire of the stick relay coil circuit, and the other end of the coils by a wire 72 to the common return wire 41. Thus, after the relay switch 44 has been shifted into engagement with the contacts 57, 58 to close the stick relay circuit, this operation being effected by the closing. of all the pairs of contacts 50, 51, the heating coils 70 are,

now connected in a closed circuit and begin to heat up and act on the thermostatic metals of the switch 63. During this heating up period, one or more, but not all of the arms 18 may have -ratcheted past their. corresponding parts 15. but

by the time the heating coils 70 have heated the thermostatic metals sufliciently to cause the switch 63 to open, all arms 18 have ratcheted past their corresponding parts 15, and hence, when the thermostatic switch 63 does open the circuit through the relay coil 52, the relay switch 44 returns to its normal position. The thermal switch 63 then cools and returns to its normal position where it remains until the relay circuit is again closed by all of the pairs of contacts 50, 51 being again engaged. The heating up of the coils sufliciently to affect the thermostatic metals of the switch 63 is not complete until all arms.18 have hadtime to ratchet past the Parts 15. Z

Each switch 3"! in addition to the pairs of contacts 36, 38, 48; 50, 51 includes an additional contact 80 paired with the contact 36 and interposed between the contact 36 and the contact 51. This contact 80 is arranged-"in a circuit to cut in a resistance 81 to balance or take the place of the bucking coils 25 of any one motor when the bucking coils are cut out of the circuit by the separation of the contacts 36, 38 by the arm 15.

This 'is for the purpose of maintaining the conditions in-the circuit including the wire 34 leading from the voltage regulator 33 constant, as

the timers are stopped one by one.

.The terminals 50, 51; 80, 36; 38 and 48 are arranged in a row, or in any other position, so that 'the' separating motion of the terminals 36,

. 38 is transferred to them; The contacts 36 and 38 are tensioned to engage each other when unrestrained by the parts 15. The other contacts through the coil 52" the contact 38 to engage the contact 48 and are tensioned to separate when unrestrained. The contacts 80 and 51 are separated by a piece of insulation 82. The contacts 36 and 38 are formed with extensions which diverge from each other, and the part 15 engages these diverging 80 portions when actuated by the offset arm 18 and thus, separates the contacts 36, 38 to break the normal circuit therethrough, to the bucking coils 25. The separation of the contacts 36, 38 causes thus, cut the bucking coils 25 into the full voltage circuit to stop the motor. The separating movement of the contact 36 causes it to engage the contact 80 and cut in the corresponding resistance 81, and this movement also imparts sufilcient movement to the contact 51 to cause it to engage the contact 50 in order that the coil 52 of the relay will be cut into a closed circuit when the contacts 50 and 51 of all the timers or switches 37 are engaged.

In operation, the motors of all the timers are running at their normal speed with the bucking coils 25 opposing the driving coils 26 with a predetermined resistance, the circuit through the bucking coils being closed through the contacts 36, 38. The amount of current passing through the bucking coils and hence, the speed of the motors is controlled by the setting of the regulator 33. The speed of the motor determines the extent of the trafiic cycle of the signals controlled by the cams on the timer shaft 13. This traflic cycle period may be adjusted for 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 etc., seconds. The motors may not run exactly at the same rate owing to different conditions inherent in the motors, or ,the coils may be wound so that a particular one runs slower than the other. Toward the end of the trailic cycle, the offset arms 18 begin to engage the corresponding parts 15 depressing said parts to separate the terminals 36, 38 of the companion switches 37 and thus engage the terminals 38 and 48 to. cut in full voltage current through the bucking coils of the companion motor and stop the motor and the timer, and at the same time, the resistance 81 is cut in by the contact Y80, and the contacts 50 and 51 are engaged. When all of the motors are thus stopped, all the contacts 50 and 51 in the series resynchronizing circuit are engaged thus closing the circuit through the relay coil 52, operating the relay switch into engagement with the contacts 57, 58, thus breaking the circuit through all the bucking coils 25 so that all the motors are free to start without any retarding force. Hence, the timers start, and the arms 18 thereof ratchet past the parts 1 15, thus permitting the contacts of the switches to return to normal position. This may not occur in all the switches 37 at the same time. The thermal switch breaks the circuit through the stick relay circuit after all the offset arms 18 have had time to clear their parts 15 and when the thermal switch 63 opens the stick relay circuit, the relay switch 44 returns to its normal position in engagement with the contacts 43, 45. Hence, all circuits are restored-to their normal condition and the timer continues in its cycle until the offset arms 18 again depress the parts 15. The parts 15 are returned to their normal position after the arms 18 ratchet past them by the returning spring 17. When the circuit through the heating coils 70 is thus broken, the coils cool and the switch 63 returns to its normal position in engagement with the contact 62, but in the meantime, the relay switch 44 has returned to its normal position and the circuit through the relay coil 52 has been broken by the separation of the contacts 50, 51. This Operation is repeated during each cycle of the timer.

What I claim is:

1. In a resynchronizing system including a plurality of controllers, each controller comprising a cycle timer and actuating means therefor, means controlled by each timer for stopping the same at the end of its cycle independently of the other timers comprising two parts, one fixed from movement with the timer, and the other movable by the timer into and out of engagement with the former part, timed means controlled by the last stopped timer for starting all the timers simultaneously on their next cycles, and means common to all of the timers for rendering the stopping means ineffective While the movable timer parts are moving out of engagement with the other parts.

2. In a resynchronizing system including a plurality of controllers, each controller comprising a cycle timer and actuating means therefor, means controlled by each timer for stopping the same at the end of its cycle independently of the other timers comprising a feed circuit, branch circuits, one for each timer, electrically operated means in each branch circuit for stopping the companion timer, a normally openswitch in each branch circuit, two coacting parts for each timer, one fixed from movement with the timer, and

the other movable by the timer into and out of engagement with the former part to close the companion switch, and means controlled by the last stopped timer to open all the branch circuits simultaneously.

3. In a resynchronizing system including a plurality of controllers, each controller comprising a cycle timer and actuating means therefor, means controlled by each timer for stopping the same at the end of its cycle independently of the other timers comprising a feed circuit, branch circuits, one for each timer, electrically operated means in each branch circuit for stopping the companion timer, a normally open switch in each branch circuit, two coacting parts for each timer, one fixed from movement with the timer, and the other movable by the timer into and out of engagement with the former part to close the companion switch, a resynchronizing circuit having normally open switches in series therein, one for each timer, and closable by the operation of said parts, a normally closed relay switch common to all the branch circuits, electro-magnetic means in the resynchronizing circuit for opening the relay switch when all the switches in the resynchronizing circuit are closed by the timers, a normally open stick relay circuit closable by the opening of the electro-magnetic relay switch, and timed means for opening the stick relay circuit while said parts of all the timers are moving out of engagement with each other.

4. In a resynchronizing system including a plurality of controllers, each controller comprising a cycle timer and actuating means therefor, means controlled by each timer for stopping the same at the end of its cycle independently of the other timers comprising a feed circuit, branch circuits, one for each timer, electrically operated means in each branch circuit for stopping the companion timer, a normally open switch in each branch circuit, two coacting parts for each timer, one fixed from movement with the timer, and the other movable by the timer into and out of engagement with the former part to close the companion switch, a resynchronizing circuit having normally open switches in series therein, one for each timer, and closable by the operation of said parts, a normally closed relay switch common to all the branch circuits, electro-magnetic means in the resynchronizing circuit for opening the relay switch when all the switches in the resynchronizing circuit are closed by the timers, a normally open stick relay circuit closable by the opening of the electro-magnetic relay switch, and means for opening the stick relay circuit while said parts of all the timers are moving out of engagement with each other, the last mentioned means including a normally closed thermostatically operated switch in the stick relay circuit and having its heating coils connected in said. stick relay circuit.

5. A resynchronizing system including a plurality of controllers, each controller comprising a cycle timer and actuating means therefor, means controlled by each timer for stopping the same at the end of its cycle of movement independently of the other timers comprising a feed circuit having branch circuits, one for each timer, electroresponsive means in each branch for stopping the companion timer, and a normally open switch in each branch, a resynchronizing circuit connected in the feed circuit having normally open switches connected in series therein, one switch for each timer, two coacting parts for each timer, one fixed from movement with the timer, and the other movable by the timer into and out of engagement with the former part to close said normally open switch of the companion timer, a normally open stick relay circuit having a normally closed switch therein,. a relay switch normally closing the branch circuits and common to all of them and having its coils connected in the synchronizing circuit in series with the normally open switches therein, the relay switch being movable to open the branch circuits when its coils are energized and close the stick relay circuit, and timed means independent of the timers for opening the normally closed switch in the stick relay circuit after said parts have moved out of engagement.

6.-A resynchronizing system including a plurality of controllers, each controller comprising a cycle timer and actuating means therefor, means controlled by each tiiner for stopping the same at the end of its cycle movement independently of the other timers comprising a feed circuit having branch circuits, one for each timer, electro-responsive means in each branch for stopping the companion timer, and 2. normally open switch in each branch, a resynchro- 130 nizing circuit connected in the feed circuit having normally open switches connected in series, one switch for each timer, two coacting parts for each timer, one fixed from movement with the timer, and the other movable by the timer 135 into and out of engagement with the former part to close said normally open switch of the companion timer, a normally open stick relay circuit, a normally closed switch therein, a relay switch normally closing the branch circuits and 140 common to all of them and having its coils connected in the synchronizing circuit in series with the normally open switches therein, the relay switch being movable when its coils are energized into position to break the branch cir- 145 cuits and close the stick relay circuit, the normally closed switch in the stick relay circuit being a thermal switch having heating coils connected in the stick relay circuit and operating to open the switch wh n heated, and to close it 150 when cooled and thereby delaying the breaking of the stick relay circuit until said parts have moved out of engagement on the next cycle of movement of the timers.

'7. In a resynchronizing system including a plurality of controllers, each controller comprising a cycle timer and actuating meanstherefor, means controlled by each timer for stopping the same at the end of its cycle independently of the other timers, timed means controlled by the last stopped timer for starting all the timers simultaneously on their next cycle comprising a resynchronizing circuit having normally open switches in seriestherein, one switch for each timer, coacting parts ,ior each timer, one part being fixed relatively to its companion timer, and the other movable therebyinto and out of engagement with the former to close the companion switch and stop the timer, and out of engagement with said switch to permit it to open, a relay switch circuit having a relay switch there- 'in, the coils of which are connected in series with saidaswitchesin the resynchrcnizing circuit, a normally open stick relay circuit also connected to said coils, the relay switch operating to close the stick relay circuit when its coils are energized, and means for controlling the opening of the stick relay-circuit by said relay switch until said parts of the timers have moved out or engagement on the next cycle of movement.

8. In a resynchronizing system including a plurality of controllers, each controller comprising a cycle timer and actuating means therefor, means controlled by each timer for stopping the same at the end of its cycle independently of the other timers, timed means controlled by the last stopped timer for starting all the timers simultaneously on their next cycle comprising a resynchronizing circuit -having normally open switches in series therein, one switch for each timer, coacting parts for each timer, one part being fixed relatively to its companion timer, and the other movable thereby into and out 01' engagement with the former to close the companion switch and stop the timer, and out of engagement with said switch to permit it to open, a relay switch circuit having a relay switch therein, the coils of which-are connected in series with said switches in the resynchronizing circuit a normally open stick relay circuit also connected to said coils, the relay switch operating to close the stick relay circuit when its coils are energized, and means for controlling the opening of the stick relay circuit by said relay switch until said parts 01' the timers have moved out of engagement on the next cycle of movement, the last named means including a thermal switch having its heating coils connected in the stick relay circuit.

'9. In a resynchronizing system including a plurality of controllers, each controller, comprising a cycle timer and actuating means therefor, brake means controlled by each timer for applying a braking force to stop thesameat the end of its cycle independently of the other timers, timed means controlled by the last stopped timer and operable to release the braking force of all the brake means simultaneously and means for rendering said brake means inoperative for a predetermined length of time after the braking force has been released.

10. In a resynchronizing system including a plurality of controllers, each controller comprising a cycle timer and actuating means therefor, brake means controlled by each timer for applying a braking force to stop the same at the end of its cycle independently of the other timers, timed means controlled by the last stopped timer and operable for releasing the braking force of all the brake means simultaneously and means common to all the timers for rendering the brake means inefiectiveuntil all the timers have passed through a predetermined portion or their cycle.

CARL H. BISSEIL. 

